Ready to start with
Northwest School of Music?
Choose the package that suits you.
Ready to start with
Northwest School of Music?
Choose the package that suits you.
Private Weekly Lessons
Monthly Payment
*Weekly Lessons*
*Weekly Lessons*
- $150/month 30 minute lessons
- $197/month 45 minute lessons
- $245/month 60 minute lessons
Most Popular
Private Weekly Lessons
Monthly Payment
*Weekly Lessons*
*Weekly Lessons*
- $150/month 30 minute lessons
- $197/month 45 minute lessons
- $245/month 60 minute lessons
Most Popular
Private Weekly Lessons
Monthly Payment
*Weekly Lessons*
*Weekly Lessons*
- $150/month 30 minute lessons
- $197/month 45 minute lessons
- $245/month 60 minute lessons
Most Popular
AGE TAUGHT
We have experience teaching music to 2-year-olds through adults. We currently accept private students as young as 3, and as old as. . . . Well, it’s never too late to start music lessons, and we enjoy working with adult students too! Remember: You’re never too grey to play!
We believe it is very important to use age-appropriate materials at each level, matching the interests and strengths of each age group. At NWSM studio, beginning 5-year-olds use different books than beginning 8-year-olds or beginning middle-school students or adults.
For a child to start standard private music lessons, they should be able to count to ten, recognize & write the numerals 1-5, the letters A-G, wiggle their fingers independently, differentiate between left & right, and focus on an activity for 10 minutes. (If your child is very young and still learning some of these, always feel free to call the office and see if private lessons are the best fit for you!)
We also offer music lessons for preschoolers, focused around “music readiness.” No child is too young to begin discovering the joys of music! Check out our kindermusic program to learn how you can help jump-start your child’s musical development at an early age if private lessons are too advanced.
A child’s interest in music is the most important indicator of readiness: Do they express themselves musically (singing, humming, dancing, tapping rhythms)? If you have an instrument at home, do they spend time exploring the sounds and making up songs? These are some of the indicators that music lessons could benefit them personally, and developmentally.
Musical activities can be extremely beneficial to young children, not just to prepare them for music lessons, but to prepare them for life. Music can help children develop their motor skills and sense of timing, develop language and spatial reasoning skills, and remember facts (for example, “ABC Song”!).
Play quality music in your home and car, especially classical music and folk songs, genres that have stood the test of time.
Sing with your child. Teach him simple children’s songs you know, get a CD of children’s songs to sing to together, make up your own songs to describe what you do throughout your day. There are many wonderful educational songs posted by Super Simple Songs on YouTube.
Let your child explore musical instruments, especially makeshift ones like cooking pot drums with wooden spoon drumsticks or a tupperware shaker containing a small amount of rice (carefully sealed, of course.) Grab a drum yourself and together with your child play to the beat of a recording. Definitely let him explore your piano or keyboard regularly, making up his own songs.
Involve your child in activities that develop fine-motor skills such as coloring & drawing or playing with play dough.
Attend a concert for young children.
Yes! We welcome adult beginners with no musical background, players who have been away from the piano for many years, as well as lifelong pianists who wish to sharpen their skills.
We understand that there are many demands on your time as an adult, so we take a relaxed approach to lessons. Regular practice (5-6 days each week) is certainly recommended but not required. There are many activities we can do in the weekly lesson to further develop your skills regardless of the amount of time you practiced during the week. Please understand, however, that you will progress much more quickly if you practice consistently. You do need an instrument for your home practice. Please see the instrument requirements below under the “Home Practice” section.
Our adult students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the studio recitals and festival. These events give you a tangible goal that will keep you focused and on track in your music studies. There is also a yearly adult recital for students 18+ in a low key environment for all musical levels. Keep your eyes out for Recital 151.
POLICIES
Your tuition reserves a specific time in our teaching schedule– teaching time that is dedicated to you. Understandably, we cannot dedicate double lesson time to you when you have a schedule conflict: Lesson time cannot be extended if a student is late, and missed lessons cannot be refunded. However, when possible, we do make every effort to accommodate a reschedule.
If you alert us of your absence prior to the start of the month, we’ll reduce your bill accordingly. Once the month has begun, so long as you give at least 24 hours’ notice, we’ll be happy to provide makeup lesson time options (although, due to our busy schedule, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer times that are ideal for your personal schedule). If you must miss a lesson and give less than 48 hours’ notice, unfortunately that lesson will be considered forfeited. We’ll look forward to seeing you at your next scheduled lesson!
Lessons prices range depending on many factors, most importantly the length of lessons you take, please visit the NWSM store to locate specifics.
Tuition is due by the 10th of the month. Payments not received or postmarked by the 10th will incur an automatic $20 late penalty. If your family needs to adjust the tuition date, that needs to be communicated through the office.
After monthly tuition and registration costs, the only additional fees are optional events (such as workshops).
AGE TAUGHT
We have experience teaching music to 2-year-olds through adults. We currently accept private students as young as 3, and as old as. . . . Well, it’s never too late to start music lessons, and we enjoy working with adult students too! Remember: You’re never too grey to play!
We believe it is very important to use age-appropriate materials at each level, matching the interests and strengths of each age group. At NWSM studio, beginning 5-year-olds use different books than beginning 8-year-olds or beginning middle-school students or adults.
For a child to start standard private music lessons, they should be able to count to ten, recognize & write the numerals 1-5, the letters A-G, wiggle their fingers independently, differentiate between left & right, and focus on an activity for 10 minutes. (If your child is very young and still learning some of these, always feel free to call the office and see if private lessons are the best fit for you!)
We also offer music lessons for preschoolers, focused around “music readiness.” No child is too young to begin discovering the joys of music! Check out our kindermusic program to learn how you can help jump-start your child’s musical development at an early age if private lessons are too advanced.
A child’s interest in music is the most important indicator of readiness: Do they express themselves musically (singing, humming, dancing, tapping rhythms)? If you have an instrument at home, do they spend time exploring the sounds and making up songs? These are some of the indicators that music lessons could benefit them personally, and developmentally.
Musical activities can be extremely beneficial to young children, not just to prepare them for music lessons, but to prepare them for life. Music can help children develop their motor skills and sense of timing, develop language and spatial reasoning skills, and remember facts (for example, “ABC Song”!).
Play quality music in your home and car, especially classical music and folk songs, genres that have stood the test of time.
Sing with your child. Teach him simple children’s songs you know, get a CD of children’s songs to sing to together, make up your own songs to describe what you do throughout your day. There are many wonderful educational songs posted by Super Simple Songs on YouTube.
Let your child explore musical instruments, especially makeshift ones like cooking pot drums with wooden spoon drumsticks or a tupperware shaker containing a small amount of rice (carefully sealed, of course.) Grab a drum yourself and together with your child play to the beat of a recording. Definitely let him explore your piano or keyboard regularly, making up his own songs.
Involve your child in activities that develop fine-motor skills such as coloring & drawing or playing with play dough.
Attend a concert for young children.
Yes! We welcome adult beginners with no musical background, players who have been away from the piano for many years, as well as lifelong pianists who wish to sharpen their skills.
We understand that there are many demands on your time as an adult, so we take a relaxed approach to lessons. Regular practice (5-6 days each week) is certainly recommended but not required. There are many activities we can do in the weekly lesson to further develop your skills regardless of the amount of time you practiced during the week. Please understand, however, that you will progress much more quickly if you practice consistently. You do need an instrument for your home practice. Please see the instrument requirements below under the “Home Practice” section.
Our adult students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the studio recitals and festival. These events give you a tangible goal that will keep you focused and on track in your music studies. There is also a yearly adult recital for students 18+ in a low key environment for all musical levels. Keep your eyes out for Recital 151.
LESSON FORMAT
Your tuition reserves a specific time in our teaching schedule– teaching time that is dedicated to you. Understandably, we cannot dedicate double lesson time to you when you have a schedule conflict: Lesson time cannot be extended if a student is late, and missed lessons cannot be refunded. However, when possible, we do make every effort to accommodate a reschedule.
If you alert us of your absence prior to the start of the month, we’ll reduce your bill accordingly. Once the month has begun, so long as you give at least 48 hours’ notice, we’ll be happy to provide makeup lesson time options (although, due to our busy schedule, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer times that are ideal for your personal schedule). If you must miss a lesson and give less than 48 hours’ notice, unfortunately that lesson will be considered forfeited. We’ll look forward to seeing you at your next scheduled lesson!
Lessons prices range depending on many factors, most importantly the length of lessons you take, please visit the NWSM store to locate specifics.
Tuition is due by the 10th of the month. Payments not received or postmarked by the 10th will incur an automatic $20 late penalty. If your family needs to adjust the tuition date, that needs to be communicated through the office.
After monthly tuition and registration costs, the only additional fees are optional events (such as workshops).
AGE TAUGHT
We have experience teaching music to 2-year-olds through adults. We currently accept private students as young as 3, and as old as. . . . Well, it’s never too late to start music lessons, and we enjoy working with adult students too! Remember: You’re never too grey to play!
We believe it is very important to use age-appropriate materials at each level, matching the interests and strengths of each age group. At NWSM studio, beginning 5-year-olds use different books than beginning 8-year-olds or beginning middle-school students or adults.
For a child to start standard private music lessons, they should be able to count to ten, recognize & write the numerals 1-5, the letters A-G, wiggle their fingers independently, differentiate between left & right, and focus on an activity for 10 minutes. (If your child is very young and still learning some of these, always feel free to call the office and see if private lessons are the best fit for you!)
We also offer music lessons for preschoolers, focused around “music readiness.” No child is too young to begin discovering the joys of music! Check out our kindermusic program to learn how you can help jump-start your child’s musical development at an early age if private lessons are too advanced.
A child’s interest in music is the most important indicator of readiness: Do they express themselves musically (singing, humming, dancing, tapping rhythms)? If you have an instrument at home, do they spend time exploring the sounds and making up songs? These are some of the indicators that music lessons could benefit them personally, and developmentally.
Musical activities can be extremely beneficial to young children, not just to prepare them for music lessons, but to prepare them for life. Music can help children develop their motor skills and sense of timing, develop language and spatial reasoning skills, and remember facts (for example, “ABC Song”!).
Play quality music in your home and car, especially classical music and folk songs, genres that have stood the test of time.
Sing with your child. Teach him simple children’s songs you know, get a CD of children’s songs to sing to together, make up your own songs to describe what you do throughout your day. There are many wonderful educational songs posted by Super Simple Songs on YouTube.
Let your child explore musical instruments, especially makeshift ones like cooking pot drums with wooden spoon drumsticks or a tupperware shaker containing a small amount of rice (carefully sealed, of course.) Grab a drum yourself and together with your child play to the beat of a recording. Definitely let him explore your piano or keyboard regularly, making up his own songs.
Involve your child in activities that develop fine-motor skills such as coloring & drawing or playing with play dough.
Attend a concert for young children.
Yes! We welcome adult beginners with no musical background, players who have been away from the piano for many years, as well as lifelong pianists who wish to sharpen their skills.
We understand that there are many demands on your time as an adult, so we take a relaxed approach to lessons. Regular practice (5-6 days each week) is certainly recommended but not required. There are many activities we can do in the weekly lesson to further develop your skills regardless of the amount of time you practiced during the week. Please understand, however, that you will progress much more quickly if you practice consistently. You do need an instrument for your home practice. Please see the instrument requirements below under the “Home Practice” section.
Our adult students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the studio recitals and festival. These events give you a tangible goal that will keep you focused and on track in your music studies. There is also a yearly adult recital for students 18+ in a low key environment for all musical levels. Keep your eyes out for Recital 151.
POLICIES
Your tuition reserves a specific time in our teaching schedule– teaching time that is dedicated to you. Understandably, we cannot dedicate double lesson time to you when you have a schedule conflict: Lesson time cannot be extended if a student is late, and missed lessons cannot be refunded. However, when possible, we do make every effort to accommodate a reschedule.
If you alert us of your absence prior to the start of the month, we’ll reduce your bill accordingly. Once the month has begun, so long as you give at least 24 hours’ notice, we’ll be happy to provide makeup lesson time options (although, due to our busy schedule, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer times that are ideal for your personal schedule). If you must miss a lesson and give less than 48 hours’ notice, unfortunately that lesson will be considered forfeited. We’ll look forward to seeing you at your next scheduled lesson!
Lessons prices range depending on many factors, most importantly the length of lessons you take, please visit the NWSM store to locate specifics.
Tuition is due by the 10th of the month. Payments not received or postmarked by the 10th will incur an automatic $20 late penalty. If your family needs to adjust the tuition date, that needs to be communicated through the office.
After monthly tuition and registration costs, the only additional fees are optional events (such as workshops).
HOME PRACTICE
The student needs to practice daily in order to master music. They will progress in direct proportion to the amount of time they spends practicing! A regular time should be set aside for home practice on at least 5 different days during the week. Before your lesson you will want to discuss with your instructor what is going to be the best option for practicing tailored to you.
Each student should practice for results, but this chart can serve as a general guide:
• Young students & Beginning students (Primer Level): 10-15 minutes daily
• Elementary/Late Elementary Piano (Levels 1-2): at least 20-30 minutes daily
• Intermediate Piano (Levels 3-5): at least 30-45 minutes daily
• Late Intermediate/Early Advanced Piano:45- 60+ minutes daily
Students LOVE to play straight through pieces, beginning to end, often at a fast speed. However, usually this is NOT practicing. Good practice includes many, many repetitions of small sections, usually at a slow tempo to insure accuracy, in order to conquer trouble spots. At the weekly lesson, a practice plan including piece titles, page numbers, and specific goals is written out. The student should follow this plan in his home practice. Please note that home practice will often include written work (to be completed in the “theory” book).
Students need to have access to an instrument for their home practice. For piano students, a well-maintained acoustic instrument is definitely preferable, students may use electronic instruments for their home practice as specified below. (Please note that a keyboard and a digital piano are not the same.)
• First-year (beginning) piano students and ages 3-6 ONLY may use an electric keyboard with at least 61 full- or standard-sized, touch-sensitive keys.
• By the second year of study or by level 1 (after the student has completed the Primer level), students must have regular access to an acoustic piano or a digital piano (e.g. Yamaha Clavinova) meeting ALL of the following specifications: full- or standard-sized keys, a full length (88-key) keyboard, weighted or graded action, and pedal.
Students are expected to treat their instrument assignments as seriously as their homework assignments and other responsibilities. This will most likely happen if the student has a specific instrument practice time built into their daily schedule.
However, even the most dedicated student will have days when they simply does not want to practice. Have no fear – this is totally normal! But as they press forward through the struggle, the rewards inherent in performing a piece of music will stick with them.Remember: Lessons are for Learning. Practice is for Progress.
Even if you have no musical experience yourself, you can help your child with their piano in these very practical ways:• Provide a well-maintained instrument for the student’s daily practice.
• Provide a practice area and time that is free from distractions.
• Help your child be faithful to their practice schedule.
• Show interest in your student’s progress by asking about their lesson or requesting to hear them play a piece.
• Feel free to occasionally sit in on a lesson.
• Make sure your child is at their lesson with their books at the appropriate time.
• Be ready with praise and encouragement for your child. These will be vital as they face challenges along the way and realize the commitment necessary to excel.
• Young children (ages 3-5) will need you to sit with them while they practice. You can encourage them to keep going, read their lesson notes to them, and even point to the notes as they play if they need the help.
HOME PRACTICE
The student needs to practice daily in order to master music. They will progress in direct proportion to the amount of time they spends practicing! A regular time should be set aside for home practice on at least 5 different days during the week. Before your lesson you will want to discuss with your instructor what is going to be the best option for practicing tailored to you.
Each student should practice for results, but this chart can serve as a general guide:
• Young students & Beginning students (Primer Level): 10-15 minutes daily
• Elementary/Late Elementary Piano (Levels 1-2): at least 20-30 minutes daily
• Intermediate Piano (Levels 3-5): at least 30-45 minutes daily
• Late Intermediate/Early Advanced Piano:45- 60+ minutes daily
Students LOVE to play straight through pieces, beginning to end, often at a fast speed. However, usually this is NOT practicing. Good practice includes many, many repetitions of small sections, usually at a slow tempo to insure accuracy, in order to conquer trouble spots. At the weekly lesson, a practice plan including piece titles, page numbers, and specific goals is written out. The student should follow this plan in his home practice. Please note that home practice will often include written work (to be completed in the “theory” book).
Students need to have access to an instrument for their home practice. For piano students, a well-maintained acoustic instrument is definitely preferable, students may use electronic instruments for their home practice as specified below. (Please note that a keyboard and a digital piano are not the same.)
• First-year (beginning) piano students and ages 3-6 ONLY may use an electric keyboard with at least 61 full- or standard-sized, touch-sensitive keys.
• By the second year of study or by level 1 (after the student has completed the Primer level), students must have regular access to an acoustic piano or a digital piano (e.g. Yamaha Clavinova) meeting ALL of the following specifications: full- or standard-sized keys, a full length (88-key) keyboard, weighted or graded action, and pedal.
Students are expected to treat their instrument assignments as seriously as their homework assignments and other responsibilities. This will most likely happen if the student has a specific instrument practice time built into their daily schedule.
However, even the most dedicated student will have days when they simply does not want to practice. Have no fear – this is totally normal! But as they press forward through the struggle, the rewards inherent in performing a piece of music will stick with them.Remember: Lessons are for Learning. Practice is for Progress.
Even if you have no musical experience yourself, you can help your child with their piano in these very practical ways:• Provide a well-maintained instrument for the student’s daily practice.
• Provide a practice area and time that is free from distractions.
• Help your child be faithful to their practice schedule.
• Show interest in your student’s progress by asking about their lesson or requesting to hear them play a piece.
• Feel free to occasionally sit in on a lesson.
• Make sure your child is at their lesson with their books at the appropriate time.
• Be ready with praise and encouragement for your child. These will be vital as they face challenges along the way and realize the commitment necessary to excel.
• Young children (ages 3-5) will need you to sit with them while they practice. You can encourage them to keep going, read their lesson notes to them, and even point to the notes as they play if they need the help.
POLICIES
Your tuition reserves a specific time in our teaching schedule– teaching time that is dedicated to you. Understandably, we cannot dedicate double lesson time to you when you have a schedule conflict: Lesson time cannot be extended if a student is late, and missed lessons cannot be refunded. However, when possible, we do make every effort to accommodate a reschedule.
If you alert us of your absence prior to the start of the month, we’ll reduce your bill accordingly. Once the month has begun, so long as you give at least 24 hours’ notice, we’ll be happy to provide makeup lesson time options (although, due to our busy schedule, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to offer times that are ideal for your personal schedule). If you must miss a lesson and give less than 48 hours’ notice, unfortunately that lesson will be considered forfeited. We’ll look forward to seeing you at your next scheduled lesson!
Lessons prices range depending on many factors, most importantly the length of lessons you take, please visit the NWSM store to locate specifics.
Tuition is due by the 10th of the month. Payments not received or postmarked by the 10th will incur an automatic $20 late penalty. If your family needs to adjust the tuition date, that needs to be communicated through the office.
After monthly tuition and registration costs, the only additional fees are optional events (such as workshops).
HOME PRACTICE
The student needs to practice daily in order to master music. They will progress in direct proportion to the amount of time they spends practicing! A regular time should be set aside for home practice on at least 5 different days during the week. Before your lesson you will want to discuss with your instructor what is going to be the best option for practicing tailored to you.
Each student should practice for results, but this chart can serve as a general guide:
• Young students & Beginning students (Primer Level): 10-15 minutes daily
• Elementary/Late Elementary Piano (Levels 1-2): at least 20-30 minutes daily
• Intermediate Piano (Levels 3-5): at least 30-45 minutes daily
• Late Intermediate/Early Advanced Piano:45- 60+ minutes daily
Students LOVE to play straight through pieces, beginning to end, often at a fast speed. However, usually this is NOT practicing. Good practice includes many, many repetitions of small sections, usually at a slow tempo to insure accuracy, in order to conquer trouble spots. At the weekly lesson, a practice plan including piece titles, page numbers, and specific goals is written out. The student should follow this plan in his home practice. Please note that home practice will often include written work (to be completed in the “theory” book).
Students need to have access to an instrument for their home practice. For piano students, a well-maintained acoustic instrument is definitely preferable, students may use electronic instruments for their home practice as specified below. (Please note that a keyboard and a digital piano are not the same.)
• First-year (beginning) piano students and ages 3-6 ONLY may use an electric keyboard with at least 61 full- or standard-sized, touch-sensitive keys.
• By the second year of study or by level 1 (after the student has completed the Primer level), students must have regular access to an acoustic piano or a digital piano (e.g. Yamaha Clavinova) meeting ALL of the following specifications: full- or standard-sized keys, a full length (88-key) keyboard, weighted or graded action, and pedal.
Students are expected to treat their instrument assignments as seriously as their homework assignments and other responsibilities. This will most likely happen if the student has a specific instrument practice time built into their daily schedule.
However, even the most dedicated student will have days when they simply does not want to practice. Have no fear – this is totally normal! But as they press forward through the struggle, the rewards inherent in performing a piece of music will stick with them.Remember: Lessons are for Learning. Practice is for Progress.
Even if you have no musical experience yourself, you can help your child with their piano in these very practical ways:• Provide a well-maintained instrument for the student’s daily practice.
• Provide a practice area and time that is free from distractions.
• Help your child be faithful to their practice schedule.
• Show interest in your student’s progress by asking about their lesson or requesting to hear them play a piece.
• Feel free to occasionally sit in on a lesson.
• Make sure your child is at their lesson with their books at the appropriate time.
• Be ready with praise and encouragement for your child. These will be vital as they face challenges along the way and realize the commitment necessary to excel.
• Young children (ages 3-5) will need you to sit with them while they practice. You can encourage them to keep going, read their lesson notes to them, and even point to the notes as they play if they need the help.
DIRECTOR
Ms. Mallory Livingston is the Executive Director of NWSM and has studied the musical arts for most of her life, taking private lessons as well as completing her bachelor’s of music at Eastern Oregon University.
DIRECTOR
Ms. Mallory Livingston is the Executive Director of NWSM and has studied the musical arts for most of her life, taking private lessons as well as completing her bachelor’s of music at Eastern Oregon University.
DIRECTOR
Ms. Mallory Livingston is the Executive Director of NWSM and has studied the musical arts for most of her life, taking private lessons as well as completing her bachelor’s of music at Eastern Oregon University.
